Funding Opportunity
Wildfires have forever played an integral role in regulating our natural environment; shaping landscapes and sustaining ecosystems. However, in recent years, the frequency and intensity of wildfires in Europe’s Southern Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Central and Eastern Europe, have notably increased. Data from the European Forest Fires Information System (EFFIS) suggests that the average area affected by fires in 2025 in European Union member states was more than double the average from across 2006-2024. Human activity and environmental conditions favouring wildfire ignition and propagation have historically been the catalysts behind such fires. The extension of urban-forest interfaces, where human settlements and flammable vegetation meet, is exacerbating both the risk of fire onset and the magnitude of their impact.
The consequences of such are environmental, economic and social. Wildfires cause extensive loss of, and damage to, lives, natural resources, and property. Local economies suffer due to impacts on tourism, abandonment of rural areas and disruption of trade. The burning of biomass releases pollutants negatively impacting air quality and sowing longer-term impacts on human health and the environment.
In parallel, on-going advances in space and terrestrial technologies offer novel means to tackle such challenges.
Challenges
This is part of the Wildfire Safety initiative, inviting proposals for innovative services that advance wildfire management using space technology and data. The focus areas have been designated with support from European fire and rescue services, civil protection agencies, and forest management authorities. In this funding call, the focus is on Wildfire Response, and solutions advancing early detection of wildfires, near-real-time fire evolution monitoring, fire behaviour simulation and prediction.
Later in the year, we will have another funding call focusing on Wildfire Preparedness, and solutions advancing wildfire risk assessments, fuel load management, and applicability of preventative measures and environmental adaptations.
Value of space
Satellite data and technology must play a critical role in the solutions proposed for this opportunity.
- Satellite Earth observation for mapping and monitoring of active fires, burn scars, vegetative health, risk factors, vulnerable infrastructure, and otherwise.
- Satellite positioning to guide aerial platforms (drones and aircraft) for fire monitoring and suppression, geo-referencing of data collected from aerial platforms and in-situ sensors.
- Satellite communications to provide connectivity to distributed in-situ sensors across a region, as well as communication links for aerial platforms.
What we look for
We are looking for motivated teams who can demonstrate credible business and, technical expertise, with promising ideas for space applications that address relevant topics or related areas and demonstrate:
- credible customer engagement and clearly identified customer needs
- clear market potential leading to commercially viable service concepts
- potential technical feasibility with a pathway to implementable solutions
- clear added value from the use of space data or space-based technologies
What we offer
- zero-equity funding*
- technical and commercial guidance
- access to our network and partners
- ESA brand credibility
*(50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
How to apply
Details about how to apply to this call can be found here.
Further information and important documentation and guidance around the application process is available here.
Please note that these pages are updated regularly. In the unlikely case of contradictory information on different platforms, details published on esa-star take precedence.
Authorisation of funding
This opportunity is open to companies that intend to develop space-enabled services and products related, but not restricted, to the topics of relevance outlined above.
To be eligible for funding, your team must be based in one of the following countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Canada.
Potential Tenderers are strongly advised to contact the National Delegation(s) of the countries where their industrial partners (Prime and Subcontractors) are located as soon as possible and to apply for a Written Authorisation for ESA funding, as such authorisation is required for the Full Proposal.